Trial of Electrical Versus Pharmacological Cardioversion for RAFF in the ED

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by disorganized atrial electrical depolarization leading to an irregular and rapid heart rate and is the most common arrhythmia seen in the emergency department (ED). Atrial flutter (AFL) is a less common arrhythmia with similar pathophysiology. Investigators will focus on recent-onset episodes of AF and AFL (RAFF), which have usually been present less than 48 hours, are highly symptomatic, and may be a first or recurrent event. There is a surprising lack of evidence regarding many important ED RAFF management questions and the 2011 Canadian Cardiovascular Society AF Guidelines indicate clinical equipoise for most facets of early care. In Canadian EDs, most physicians use the rhythm control approach, where attempts are made to cardiovert patients to sinus rhythm in the ED, either pharmacologically or electrically (DC cardioversion). Canadian ED physicians seem equally divided between those who prefer to attempt rhythm control initially with drugs and then move to DC cardioversion if necessary (Drug-Shock strategy) and those who prefer to start immediately with DC cardioversion (Shock Only strategy). Investigators recently completed a prospective cohort RAFF study (N=1,065, funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario) at 6 Canadian EDs. 73.3% of all patients underwent ED rhythm control with 34.4% receiving rhythm control drugs first and 38.9% receiving electrical shock first. There is also much variation in whether the DC cardioversion electrodes are placed in the front and back (antero-posterior) or front and side (antero-lateral) position (Figure 1).

Investigators believe that the Drug-Shock strategy has many advantages over a Shock Only strategy. Most Canadian EDs have a single physician on duty, which is a barrier to safe procedural sedation and DC cardioversion. Even in larger EDs, DC cardioversion requires 4 professional staff, has a risk associated with sedation, and can be frightening for patients. Investigators expect that the Drug-Shock strategy will be more effective because procainamide will facilitate DC cardioversion and prevent early return of AF. Even if the Drug-Shock strategy is not more effective overall, its use can prevent the need for DC cardioversion in 50-60% of patients. Regarding DC cardioversion pad placement, no randomized trials have ever been done with RAFF patients using modern biphasic devices at high energy levels.

Study Objectives: Investigators primary aim is to compare conversion to sinus rhythm between the strategies of i) attempted pharmacological cardioversion with intravenous procainamide followed by DC cardioversion if necessary (Drug-Shock) and ii) DC cardioversion alone (Shock Only). Investigators secondary aim is to compare the effectiveness of the i) antero-posterior and ii) antero-lateral pad positions.

Methods: Design and Interventions: Investigators propose a partial factorial study design with 2 protocols (Figure 2). All patients will participate in Protocol 1 (N=468) and most in Protocol 2 (N=356). 1. Drug versus Shock Protocol. This will be a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled comparison of: i) attempted pharmacological cardioversion with intravenous procainamide (15mg/kg over 30 minutes) followed by DC cardioversion (200 joules x 3) if necessary (Drug-Shock), and ii) only DC cardioversion (Shock Only) (Hypothesis 1). 2. Pad Position Protocol. For the subset of patients who undergo DC cardioversion, this will be a randomized, open-label comparison of i) the antero-posterior pad position, and ii) the antero-lateral pad position (Hypothesis 2). Management protocols will be standardized. Randomization will be stratified by site and by rhythm (AF or AFL). Setting: 8 EDs of large, tertiary care Canadian hospitals. Subjects: Stable patients with primary diagnosis of RAFF where acute rhythm control is a safe option. Investigators will obtain patient consent. Outcomes: The primary outcome measure will be conversion to sinus rhythm and maintenance of sinus rhythm for at least 60 minutes; other outcomes will include sinus rhythm at discharge, hospital admission, length of stay in ED, adverse events, patient satisfaction, and 14-day follow-up status. Patients will be telephoned at 6 months and 1 year after the original ED visit to determine stroke-free status and medication changes. Data Analysis: Primary analysis will be intention-to-treat using chi-square testing. Sample Size: Investigators will require 213 evaluable patients per group to detect a minimal clinically important absolute difference of 10% between groups. Allowing for 10% non-compliance, investigators plan to enroll 468 patients.

Importance: This study will answer two important questions about the early management of ED RAFF patients, leading to higher rhythm conversion rates and lower admission rates. The results will inform future efforts to create effective, safe, and efficient pathways for RAFF patient management in Canada.